Ever try two at once?

I don't really intend to do this, but it sure seems tempting. I am to shop the grocery department of a large multi-department store for one company, and then shop the entire store for another company. The dates are the same. Thinking I will do one shop concentrating on it, then exit and re-enter the store to complete the other one. Any thoughts? Thanks,

Carol

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I've done the same location on the same date for different MSPs. The guidelines dictated whether I completed them at the same time, and also if the same purchase would meet requirements for both shops.

Carol,
Check your shop guidelines, and if there is any ambiguity check with the schedulers. But, very often, there is no reason not to do both shops on the same trip, even if you may have to exit the store and re-enter immediately in order to abide by shop guidelines. I have never had schedulers object to a "double-dip" that was otherwise in compliance with their needs/rules.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

Agreed, Carol. As long as you're not compromising the integrity of the shop, there should not be a problem.

I have done that often as long as there was nothing stated against it. I do checkout twice though. I don't use the same receipt for both.

I did two of the same shops selling different things (handbag and jewelry). I did them both the same day, no problem, but not knowing your MSC, check it out first, even call the scheduler if not sure.

Live consciously....

I did a double on Saturday. Different MSPs, different objectives, different proofs required, same time frame, same location. I looked at the third company that often has things done there and the times didn't work or it would have been a triple. These opportunities arise when there are different clients looking at the same location. Bestmark used to actually suggest that you do two of their electronics on the same visit but do the in-and-out for different timings and two different receipts, preferably with two different cashiers.

Sometimes it's also 2 clients that are in 1 location.

It's no longer available but I used to regularly visit a coffee shop in a major book store and shop each of them for different MSCs.

Here in CA, parking shops are popular, so when I have a bar or dinner shop, I can often find a parking shop for the valet at the hotel/restaurant or nearby. The valet staff are sub-contractors who are shopped by a different MSC.

The grocery store that makes you an employee also has fast food & smoothie places in some locations. I once managed to work it out that I did all 3 at once.

Each of those create very natural interaction when I'm on the shop, make me look like a regular customer and have no conflict between the clients I'm evaluating.

I took a hotel shop recently that included shopping the valet. I saw a valet-only shop for a different MSC at the same location and asked the hotel MSC about that. They told me that the hotel turned over the valet portion of the report to the valet company, so it would have been a conflict and major faux pas to take both of those, since they valet company would have paid twice for the same shop.

It's best to check with the MSC if you are in doubt.

Well I am just going to do my two, one right after another, and ofcourse make separate purchases for proof.

Yes, I did two down at the Atlanta airport, each MSC had 3 visits, for a total of 6. Did not work well for me, because I couldn't get to one.

Yes, I have. It was for the same MSC at the one location. However, I had permission from the scheduler to do so. I wouldn't do so without permission. It might create issues that might invalidate the shop or shops and give me a bad reputation with one or more MSCs.

Happily shopping Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut

Well it just got to be too late this evening. I did the grocery portion for one MSC, and now tomorrow will do the whole store/each department for another.

I have double dipped too. It is no biggie unless the MSP says it is not allowed.

I have never had this opportunity. I definitely would shop both at once. Just make sure you don't get the guidelines for each shop confused.

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